Written by: Guilherme Canineo
This Saturday, Oct 12, the celebrity spin-off version of Simon Cowell’s singing competition premiers on ITV.
“Sometimes I think change is fun,” said Cowell during an interview with Terri Seymour for ITV’s Lorraine. “The people are interesting, but they really want to win. I think the show is fun.”
The special edition will have 14 famous acts unknown for their singing talents, showcasing their vocal abilities to convince the judges whether or not they can sing with the best of them. This marks the first time since 2006 when The X Factor: Battle of the Stars aired for 8 consecutive nights, that any attempt to revamp the show into something completely different is made. In addition, this features the return of seasoned vets, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger, to the judging panel. Finally, to elevate its seriousness and competitiveness, the winner will be offered a genuine record deal.
“It felt good, it felt fun, and it felt warm,” said Dermot O’Leary, host of the upcoming series and a 10-season X-Factor veteran presenter in an interview with Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby. [Although] it is going to be a competition because they get a record contract at the end of it, there is something quite natural, fun, and warm about the whole process. It is good to change up a bit.”
Whether or not you are a fan, there is no denying that the franchise has produced and introduced the world to an incredible amount of class acts over the years. From Leona Lewis to One Direction, to James Arthur and Fifth Harmony. However, even for die-heart supporters of the show like myself, not only has it failed to produce long-lasting successful acts over the past seasons but has also become less exciting, despite bringing Robbie Williams and Louis Tomlinson to the judging panel in its last season. Once the audience leader on a Saturday night, it has suffered a considered decrease in viewership, hence the shift might not be a bad strategy after all.
On Monday, Sept. 30, the full line-up was revealed and included some big names such as Ricki Lake, a Daytime Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Talk Show Host, Kevin McHale, famously known for interpreting Artie Abrams on Fox’s Glee, Megan McKenna, reality television star and The Only Way Is Essex’s alum, Max & Harvey, social media twins famously known by their lip-syncing videos on musical.ly (currently TikTok), and Latin American influencer girl group formed by Sofia, Alondra, Laura, Natalie and Wendii, who have over 11 million followers combined.
The auditions were filmed over the summer at Cowell’s house in Malibu, CA. Moreover, following the show’s completion, but still awaiting confirmation, is the X-Factor: All-Stars edition leading up to Christmas. This will come as no surprise considering the success of America’s Got Talent: The Champions and Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions, also produced by Cowell’s SYCO.
The X Factor debuted on September 4, 2004, in the UK and the franchise has since crowned 200 winners worldwide.
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